Four arrested in Luton on suspicion of being involved in the “commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism” December 2, 2015 Four men have been arrested in Luton this morning, on suspicion of committing offences under the Terrorism Act. The men, who are all in their 30s, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the "commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism". They have been taken into custody at a London police station. Searches are now [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown’s Wealth 150: Why exceptional fund managers remain the exception December 2, 2015 Hang onto your hat – 97 per cent of active fund managers aren’t worth their salt. Perhaps surprising coming from someone who makes a living researching actively managed funds, but before you rush for the door, let’s delve a little deeper. This week marks the 12th anniversary of Hargreaves Lansdown’s Wealth 150, which lists the funds [...]
A new Silk Road is emerging – and nations including China, Kazakhstan, UAE, Armenia and Georgia are clamouring to join December 2, 2015 On the ancient Silk Road, there were no geographic boundaries. Traders travelled freely along the vast network, exchanging goods and ideas and enabling the world’s first truly globalised market. It changed the nature of commerce, culture, city-states and consequently the world. Today, a new Silk Road is being mapped out. Though it is still in [...]
Government housing minister Brandon Lewis has admitted defeat in the face of the housing crisis: Generation Rent can’t make a “judgement call” about where they live December 2, 2015 The government has admitted defeat in the face of the London housing crisis. At least, that was the conclusion I drew yesterday when the housing minister told people hoping to stay in London to make “a judgement call about what you can afford and where is right for you”. By being “up front about the [...]
Uber vs TfL: CMA regulator backs Uber calling new Transport for London rules anti-competitive December 2, 2015 The UK's market watchdog has thrown its weight behind Uber in a showdown between the Taxi startup and Transport for London (TfL), calling plans to curb the business anti-competitive. Responding to proposed new rules which seek a five-minute waiting time after ordering an Uber among other restrictions, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned the plans may "excessively and "unnecessarily weaken competition" and [...]
Drop in core Eurozone inflation gives European Central Bank extra incentive to boost asset purchases tomorrow December 2, 2015 Annual inflation in the Eurozone was 0.1 per cent last month, according to official estimates released this morning, but core inflation has fallen below one per cent, offering European policy makers extra encouragement to boost their asset purchase programme tomorrow. Inflation was unchanged from October, yet core inflation, which excludes the impact of low energy prices, fell [...]
UK house prices: Residential building growing at its slowest rate for two years as the construction sector loses steam December 2, 2015 UK housebuilding came off the boil in November, according to new figures published this morning, as the construction sector slowed considerably. Markit’s purchasing managers’ index showed house building increased at its slowest rate since June 2013. The overall PMI for the construction sector dropped to a score of 55.3 – its lowest since April, but [...]
These are the 13 bridges and tunnels to cross the Thames Boris Johnson wants to build by 2050 December 2, 2015 The number of ways to cross the Thames is set to increase by a third by 2050, a new report suggested today, with the number of pedestrian and cyclist crossings to increase by 50 per cent. From the Diamond Jubilee bridge linking Fulham and Battersea to the Lower Thames Crossing, which will link Essex and Kent, Londoners [...]
UK and London house prices: Where to buy a new build house for the most space? Surprisingly, London December 2, 2015 A new build home may come with all the mod cons, shiny new floors, and fewer problems than a quaint Victorian pad – but buyers are likely to be sacrificing space. Architects have criticised the "rabbit-hutch" homes being built across the country, after new research found most are too small to live in for the average family. Buyers outside the capital are missing out on [...]
Bank of England money printer De La Rue share price rises 4.22 per cent as it cuts banknote production putting 300 jobs on the line December 2, 2015 De La Rue, the world's biggest banknote printer, has announced it will cut banknote production as demand for paper notes falls, putting some 300 jobs on the line. The company, which prints 150 currencies including the Bank of England's notes as well as UK passports, is going to reduce its print capacity from eight billlion to six billion banknotes a [...]